This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
